The United States on Friday asked the World Trade Organization to establish a dispute settlement panel to decide U.S. claims regarding India’s restrictions on imports of various U.S. agricultural products, including poultry meat and eggs.
While India asserts that its measures are aimed at preventing entry of avian influenza, the United States claims India’s measures are inconsistent with the science, international guidelines, and standards India has set for its own domestic industry.
“It is essential that U.S. farmers obtain the reliable market access that India agreed to,” said U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, in a statement. “The United States holds its agriculture industry to the highest standards of safety and is confident the WTO will agree that there is no justification for India’s restrictions on U.S. exports.”
The United States requested formal consultations with India on March 7. The two countries held consultations on April 16-17, without resolution of the matter.
WTO asked to settle U.S., India ag dispute
